Children's Museum of Manhattan Honors Local Children for Their Dedication to Serving Others in Celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Legacy

The Children's Museum of Manhattan (CMOM) will honor local children for their dedication to serving others on Monday, January 18. CMOM will also host "Make a Difference," celebrating the power of children to make a difference, from Saturday, January 16 to Monday, January 18, featuring art workshops, the creation of a new mosaic as well as a memorable performance by the Harlem Gospel Choir. CMOM's 2010 celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy promotes service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and throughout the year as part of the new Raising Citizens program.

Together with DO Something and New York Cares, CMOM will present the children with the Raising Citizens MLK Service Award 2010. The children being honored are:

Zenebou Abalo-Toga, 17, Bronx, NY - Zenebou helped revitalize schools on New York Cares Day, painted murals at local schools, served meals to homeless people and people living with HIV and AIDS, helped revitalize parks, visited with seniors and volunteered at an afterschool program with children.
JorDan Coleman, 13, Hackensack, NJ - Jordan, the voice of Tyrone the Moose on Nickelodeon's Emmy Award-winning animated series "The Backyardigans," created a film called Say it Loud that speaks to African American boys about the importance of getting an education. He took his film on a seven-city tour across the country and continues spread his message at community centers and schools nationwide.
Supreet Kaur, 16, Astoria, NY - Supreet, a member of Do Something's Youth Advisory Council, is dedicated to climate control, but she has also organized volunteer projects for Do Something campaigns centered around clothing drives, school supply drives, fighting dating abuse, and lowering her school's carbon footprint.
Amanda Medina, 17, Brooklyn, NY - Amanda decorated and reorganized the Brooklyn Public Library-Crown Heights Branch, served meals at The Momentum AIDS Project, designed, sketched and painted a mural for the Wingate Campus and the Arab American Family Center, and read and done arts and crafts with the children from various after school programs.
Romy Ortega, 17, Bronx, NY - Romy served dinner to people living with HIV and AIDS, painted murals at local schools, helped out at a holiday party at a pediatric hospital, sorted coats for the homeless, and planted a garden at a local park.
· Raechel Rosen, 17, New York, NY - Raechel created a CD to bridge multicultural understanding, then used profits from it to build a school in Mali. Raechel is currently working on an HIV awareness song that she co-wrote with Malawian children during a month visit to Malawi this past summer and trying to get it played on the national radio station of Malawi.

Following the awards ceremony, the children will speak to other children at CMOM about their service projects and encourage them to make a pledge to start their own. "Make a Difference" is part of Raising Citizens, a new year-round series of public programs inspiring families to explore our democratic tradition and their family stories through celebrations of major American holidays.

"These 6 children have done exceptional work to benefit others, and they are an inspiration to the children of New York, proving that no one is too young to work in service of others," said Andrew Ackerman, Executive Director, Children's Museum of Manhattan. "We hope that the children and families who come to CMOM will carry Dr. King's message of service beyond this holiday and keep Dr. King's dream alive and well."

"Make a Difference is an excellent program because it teaches children that they are valuable members of society who can make a difference in their communities," said Lee M. Hendler, Program Consultant. "Children participated in and were affected by the civil rights movement at many key moments, and we hope their stories will inspire young people to become civic leaders today. Families can learn much more at www.freedomsfeast.us."

As a part of "Make a Difference," CMOM will begin the creation of a mosaic installation, which will be assembled over the next few months from the work of artists and children visiting the museum. The mosaic is dedicated to the Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy and the power of children to make a difference. When complete, the 7-by-3 foot mosaic will feature Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s inspirational quote, "Everybody can be great because everybody can serve." In addition, children will be given take-home handouts on how they can better serve their communities and make a difference in the lives of others.

Raising Citizens focuses on six major American holidays and the special qualities each feature that every healthy democracy's citizens need. Engaging activities in museums and at home allow families to experience renewed meaning in our civic calendar and turn what is usually time off into meaningful time on to help raise our next generation of citizens. As part of Raising Citizens, CMOM created a series of public programs with experiences and hands-on activities to spark intergenerational civic conversation and action. "Make a Difference" was made possible by the generous support from the Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds and the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund. The Freedom's Feast website (www.freedomsfeast.us) provides fun, flexible online ceremonies and other enrichment programs to extend the celebration, conversation and action beyond the Museum walls.

Make a Difference
Many Colors Collage
Saturday, January 16 - Monday, January 18
10am & 1pm
Ages 4 & younger
Children celebrate the many colors that fill our world.

Make a Difference Mosaic
Saturday, January 16 & Sunday, January 17 | 12:30, 2 & 3:30pm
Monday, January 18 | 11am, 12:30, & 2pm
Ages 5 & up
Explore Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. Make a pledge for your own community service and work together to create a mosaic artwork celebrating the power of children to make a difference.

Make a Difference Mosaic
Monday, January 18 | 4pm
Ages 5 & up
Explore Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy. Make a pledge for your own community service and work together to create a mosaic artwork celebrating the power of children to make a difference. Meet young people from New York Cares and Do Something who will share their service projects with you.

Performance: Harlem Gospel Choir
Monday, January 18 | 2 & 3pm
All ages
Join this world-famous group who sings gospel "to bring people and nations together."

Raising Citizens MLK Service Award 2010 Presentation
Monday, January 18 | 3pm
All Ages

Children's Museum of Manhattan
The Tisch Building
212 West 83rd Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam
New York, NY 10024
212.721.1223

About Children's Museum of Manhattan
Founded in 1973, the Children's Museum of Manhattan is New York City's leading cultural institution dedicated solely to kids and families. CMOM inspires children and their families to learn about themselves and a culturally diverse world through unique interactive exhibitions. CMOM presents a full range of activities, exhibits and special performances that stimulate children of all ages. Through multidimensional programs that reach deep into the community, the Museum serves New Yorkers from all backgrounds. For details on all of CMOM's programs, please visit www.cmom.org or call 212.721.1223.